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March 27, 2017 discussion.
We had 10 members read the book and it was well received by all. It is filed with facts on trees being much more than just growing wood. That they communicate and support each other, can recognize their children and combine to create their own supportive habitat. It also stressed that old growth forests take more than just time to regenerate once destroyed. The complex ecosystem and necessary fungi and bacteria in the soils don't recover until well after the forest is full grown. Although it is written about European forests it still was applicable to eastern deciduous forests in many areas. It was particularly appropriate since Oregon Ridge has recently undergone a forest thinning process designed to strengthen the health of the forest in the long run.
Some members expressed interest in visiting old growth forests and the books of Joan Maloof (see group bookshelf) about eastern deciduous forests were mentioned.
